Fiji has announced it will welcome Aussie tourists from December, saying it will achieve an 80 per cent vaccination rate by then.
The island nation, which boasts Isles of Smiles, recorded just 40 cases today and has been recording less than 200 daily cases on average for the past week.
According to government statistics, 97.1 per cent of the country’s target population have received at least one dose and 58.2 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Tourists from designated markets markets, including Australia, will have no quarantine requirement from 11 November, ahead of an official reopening date of 01 December.
After showing proof of vaccination and testing negative for the virus 72 hours prior to departure, tourists will need to spend two days in a hotel before being free to travel around.
“They won’t be locked in a room. They can use all hotel amenities and get settled in.Then, a Rapid Diagnostic Test taken 48 hours after their arrival will grant them free rein of safe travel areas, where they can take part in tours that allow our tour operators to make a living, shop for souvenirs and eat at restaurants,” the Fijian Prime Minister announced.
Fiji has also announced operators will have to be Care Fiji Commitment Certified under a new program.
Aussie tourism operators were quick to move on the popular Qantas and Jetstar planning to resume flights from the middle of December. Flight Centre also sent out an alert to travellers today offering special discounts.
Tourism is Fiji’s biggest industry, accounting for 40 per cent of the gross domestic product and 100,000 jobs.
Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill told the ABC the success of Fiji’s vaccination scheme had given the country the confidence to take steps towards opening up for vaccinated travellers.
Mr Hill said.”Everybody’s really keen to get things back up and running and started again, and Fiji is ready and waiting for tourists.”
